Yeah but his game speed is a lot faster than that and if he is still around in the third round and we filled (wr) needs y not Spikes think he would work out well......if I recall Zack was not the fastest out of pads ether....just my op...

Stating that his game speed makes him look faster is essentially a mirage. Everybody at every position is faster in the NFL. If you come in to the league that slow it will show right away and you will get slower as you age. Maybe a late round pick-up, 7th or as FA signing.

The 40 time can be important. Say you want to run a Tampa 2 for a few plays, or as a base for a particular reason. You can't really do that if your linebacker can't get back into the middle third.You also look at the 40 for 3rd down situations. Do you want your ILB covering a TE 30 yards downfield? Can he keep up if he goes to cover a RB in the flat, but then the RB takes it up field?The 40 also has split times-10, 20, 40. How fast can he get from 1 point to another, and how long can he sustain that speed (endurance).

To say the 40 isn't important for a LB because he doesn't ever run a straight line for 40 yards is underestimating what a 40 yard dash is designed to test.

The 40 time can be important. Say you want to run a Tampa 2 for a few plays, or as a base for a particular reason. You can't really do that if your linebacker can't get back into the middle third.You also look at the 40 for 3rd down situations. Do you want your ILB covering a TE 30 yards downfield? Can he keep up if he goes to cover a RB in the flat, but then the RB takes it up field?The 40 also has split times-10, 20, 40. How fast can he get from 1 point to another, and how long can he sustain that speed (endurance).

To say the 40 isn't important for a LB because he doesn't ever run a straight line for 40 yards is underestimating what a 40 yard dash is designed to test.

A 40 time at a combine or pro day isn't the same as his 40 time on the field... idk how many times each year we have to go over this process lol

The 40 time can be important. Say you want to run a Tampa 2 for a few plays, or as a base for a particular reason. You can't really do that if your linebacker can't get back into the middle third.You also look at the 40 for 3rd down situations. Do you want your ILB covering a TE 30 yards downfield? Can he keep up if he goes to cover a RB in the flat, but then the RB takes it up field?The 40 also has split times-10, 20, 40. How fast can he get from 1 point to another, and how long can he sustain that speed (endurance).

To say the 40 isn't important for a LB because he doesn't ever run a straight line for 40 yards is underestimating what a 40 yard dash is designed to test.

A 40 time at a combine or pro day isn't the same as his 40 time on the field... idk how many times each year we have to go over this process lol

it is when it is that bad though, truthfully it is. guess all we can do is wait and find out.

As a huge Gators Fan I have watched every game Spikes has played and I also have pondered the possibility drafting him in the 3rd and moving Channing to OLB as Spikes value has fallen. What most people do not see is that he was just as important to the team and their 2 titles as Tim Tebow was. Spikes has all of the same leadership qualities and play recognition but on the D side of the ball. Plain and simple he is a beast.....just ask Knowshon Moreno and Mathew Stafford. As for his 40 time I am still scratching my head, he is alot faster than that. Another thought I have had would be to draft Joe Haden @ #12 (if available) and move Smith back to FS. I know many are looking to Williams or Morgan @ #12 and I would be satisfied with either, however completing the secondary would eliminate all of the over the top plays we gave up last year. I know I sound like a Gator homer but Haden makes an imediate impact as a shutdown cover corner wherever he lands (I am thinking the Browns).

_________________"Make one exception and next thing you know you have a team full of exceptions"

As a huge Gators Fan I have watched every game Spikes has played and I also have pondered the possibility drafting him in the 3rd and moving Channing to OLB as Spikes value has fallen. What most people do not see is that he was just as important to the team and their 2 titles as Tim Tebow was. Spikes has all of the same leadership qualities and play recognition but on the D side of the ball. Plain and simple he is a beast.....just ask Knowshon Moreno and Mathew Stafford. As for his 40 time I am still scratching my head, he is alot faster than that. Another thought I have had would be to draft Joe Haden @ #12 (if available) and move Smith back to FS. I know many are looking to Williams or Morgan @ #12 and I would be satisfied with either, however completing the secondary would eliminate all of the over the top plays we gave up last year. I know I sound like a Gator homer but Haden makes an imediate impact as a shutdown cover corner wherever he lands (I am thinking the Browns).

I was saying the same thing his game speed is alot faster,plus he knows how to read plays before the snap and he gets a jump on where the ball is going,sound like another (Lb) we had here Zack

Spikes is a great prospect for the middle. If he were to fall into the 3rd round because he can't run fast in tights, well then that just helps us out if you ask me. He may not be an elite athlete but he is a good football player. If you watch this kid play, he's got a lot of upside. Does he need work, sure, but I think he has the potential to contribute right away for us. At first he could be used on special teams and come in occasionally as Crowder's backup. Remember guys, we're talking about Channing Crowder here. I can't even think of a season where he played all year long without getting hurt. So drafting Spikes in the 3rd as insurance would be a good move if you ask me. Heck, he might even be able to take Crowder's job in time.

Spikes is a great prospect for the middle. If he were to fall into the 3rd round because he can't run fast in tights, well then that just helps us out if you ask me. He may not be an elite athlete but he is a good football player. If you watch this kid play, he's got a lot of upside. Does he need work, sure, but I think he has the potential to contribute right away for us. At first he could be used on special teams and come in occasionally as Crowder's backup. Remember guys, we're talking about Channing Crowder here. I can't even think of a season where he played all year long without getting hurt. So drafting Spikes in the 3rd as insurance would be a good move if you ask me. Heck, he might even be able to take Crowder's job in time.

Yeah that to but for now just get his playmakeing a$$ on the field,then we have 2 Gators out there roaming the field,and nobody wants to get bitten by a Gator....lol

As a huge Gators Fan I have watched every game Spikes has played and I also have pondered the possibility drafting him in the 3rd and moving Channing to OLB as Spikes value has fallen. What most people do not see is that he was just as important to the team and their 2 titles as Tim Tebow was. Spikes has all of the same leadership qualities and play recognition but on the D side of the ball. Plain and simple he is a beast.....just ask Knowshon Moreno and Mathew Stafford. As for his 40 time I am still scratching my head, he is alot faster than that. Another thought I have had would be to draft Joe Haden @ #12 (if available) and move Smith back to FS. I know many are looking to Williams or Morgan @ #12 and I would be satisfied with either, however completing the secondary would eliminate all of the over the top plays we gave up last year. I know I sound like a Gator homer but Haden makes an imediate impact as a shutdown cover corner wherever he lands (I am thinking the Browns).

You are correct on everything you said about Spikes. However, his stock is falling fast. I would take him with our 4th round pick and not think twice about it.

As far as moving Smith - he's never played safety. Just wide receiver and cornerback. You don't want to put someone who is already talented and succeeding at one position in limbo at another UNLESS you try it out and he excels right away. That being said, a Haden/Vontae tandem would be insane and would technically be better than Vontae/Smith. But we already have our corners at this point.

Also...Spikes is receiving some of the same criticisms Siler did a few years ago. Siler was taken late by the Chargers, started at special teams and has worked his way into a starting ILB job and will get a nice contract when the time comes. Spikes is BETTER than Siler.

Also...Spikes is receiving some of the same criticisms Siler did a few years ago. Siler was taken late by the Chargers, started at special teams and has worked his way into a starting ILB job and will get a nice contract when the time comes. Spikes is BETTER than Siler.

Nice to see somebody else say it,I have been thinking of us picking Spikes up for a while. I think he will make a good ILB for us,he hits the holes,reads plays very well,ooh and the man hits. I wold say a big YES if he is there in the 4th we take him. I think if we do a lot of ppl will be happy when they see this kid play.

I think looking back on the draft years from now, whatever team gets him in the fourth will be pleasantly surprised - he's definitley a second- or third-round pick. If he is there when the Dolphins pick - taking him is a must, IMO.